Variety of Geranuim plant `Maiden Orange`

ABSTRACT

The cultivar is characterized by its compact medium green foliage and soft orange bloom. Its strong growth habit, quick rooting time and continuous flowering provide for superb cuttings and also for quick recovery following wet weather conditions. The blooms exhibit good post-harvest quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name Maiden Orange (OgleveeNo. 714, Bodger No. 2 PD 17-12). The new variety was discovered in aselective breeding program by David Lemon at Bodger Seeds, Ltd., Lompoc,Calif. The new variety is a selection from the crossing of WaltersLavender (unpatented) which has a light rose-purple flower with darkpurple markings and dark green leaves, with Bodger No. 8 PD 24-1(unpatented) which is bi-colored seedling having medium green foliage,as compared to the claimed cultivar which has an orange flower with richred and bright light pink markings with a medium green foliage.

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at OgleveeLtd., Connellsville, Pa., and has been repeatedly asexually reproducedby cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville,Pa., using full light, 60° Fahrenheit night temperature, 68° Fahrenheitday temperature, and grown in a soilless media of constant fertilizer150-200 parts per million of nitrogen and potassium has a response timeof fourteen weeks from the rooted cutting to a flowering plant in a 6inch pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing illustrates the new cultivar, the color beingas nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the newcultivar. The data which defines each characteristic was collected fromasexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa.The plant histories were taken on rooted cuttings believed to have beenpotted on approximately Feb. 1, 1996 and flowering on approximately Apr.25, 1996 under full light and greenhouse, and colorings were takenindoors under 200-220 foot candles of fluorescent cool white light usingthe R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×domesticum.

Commercial.--Regal Geranium Maiden Orange.

Form: Compact mound.

Height.--16.0-18.0 cm above media.

Growth.--Controlled.

Strength.--Fast rooting, compact sturdy growth -- no support needed.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--6.0-7.5 cm.

Shape.--Depressed ovate, cordate base.

Margin.--Serrate margin.

Texture.--Leathery, slightly pubescent.

Color.--Top: Yellow-green group 146 B.

Bottom: Yellow-green group 148 B.

Zone: None.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation: Color: Yellow/green group 147C.

Petioles:

Length.--5.0-6.5 cm.

Color.--Yellow/green group 146C.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow/green group 146D.

Internodes.--1.5-2.0 cm.

The Bud (Umbell)

Shape: Elliptical cluster.

Size: 2.0-2.5 cm.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Borne: Umbel; florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.

Closed florets:

Bud size.--1.0-1.5 cm length,0.5cm width.

Size.--Fully open bloom 7.5-8.5 cm across.

Open florets:

Form.--Cupped.

Color.--Top: Red group 43C. Bottom: Red group 50C. Eye: Red group 53A adarker eye appearing on the top two petals.

Petals.--Five.

Size.--4.0-5.0 cm across.

Texture and appearance.--Smooth satiny; appearance from a distance is asoft orange bloom above compact medium green foliage.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--None.

Pedicel:

Length.--1.5 cm.

Color.--Yellow-Green Group 146D.

Peduncle:

Length.--3.0-4.0 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 146B.

Persistence:

Disease resistance.--Not known.

Lasting quality.--Unknown.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--3 mm.

Filaments.--Length:0.9-1.0 cm. Color: White

Pollen.--Golden brown.

Pistils:

Nunber.--One.

Length.--1.3-1.5 cm.

Stigma.--Color: Red-purple group 60C; 5-7 parted.

Style.--Length:0.8-1.0 cm.

Ovaries:

Color.--Green, Pubescent; Superior.

Length.--5-6 mm.

Fruit: None

General Characteristics Maiden orange is one of three colors in the newMaiden regal Geranium series. The Regal "Maiden" Series is a group ofPelargonium×domesticum varieties having large blooms with a compactmedium plant size making them suitable for growing in a 13 cm pot. Thisseries exhibits unique plant size, bloom size, and bloom color with anoticeable blotch on only the top two petals instead of all. The seriesalso has demonstrated improved cutting production and rooting times.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant, substantiallyas shown and described.